In a corner of a Small World, starlight shone on the lake.
Daoist Duobao sat on the green rock by the lake. His expression was rather gloomy, causing the atmosphere to be slightly oppressive. In front of the green rock, the immortal of Jie School, Shi Ji, was kneeling. There were tears in the corners of her listless eyes. She looked like she was about to cry, but she looked rather weak.
At that moment, Li Changshou also transformed into a young Daoist and appeared. He was prepared to sing a song with Daoist Duobao. He wanted to start from the rock and tear open the gap in the black chain that was the “disciple of Jie School’s immortal in-name”.
“How many times?” Daoist Duobao asked in a low voice.
Goddess of Stone lowered her head and said, “Eldest Senior Brother, there have been… sixteen times.” “How many each time?”
“Dozens of people…”
“Sixteen times, dozens of people!” Daoist Duobao gritted his teeth and cursed, “You alone have given Jie School more than a thousand in-name disciples! Do you know the character of these disciples and whether they have negative karma?”
Shi Ji trembled slightly and bowed. “I cannot be forgiven. Please punish me, Eldest Senior Brother!”
“Rascal!”
Daoist Duobao growled. The Small World suddenly darkened. The spiritual energy in the world was disturbed, and a few living beings fell into panic. “You know that your crimes are unforgivable, yet you’re still so righteous. Are you asking me to punish you?! What have you been doing? Where did you go when they were doing this?! Why don’t you come and tell me?” “I…”
Shi Ji looked up and wanted to speak, but she lowered her head and leaned over, not knowing how to answer. Li Changshou, who was at the side, found an opportunity to say, “Senior Brother Duobao, don’t be anxious. Wait for me to talk to this senior sister.” Daoist Duobao closed his eyes in anger. Li Changshou took two steps forward and said warmly to the kneeling rock, “Senior Sister, get up first.”
The rock did not move. It lay there, its slender body trembling Li Changshou persuaded earnestly, “The reason that Senior Brother Duobao spent so much effort to pretend to be a Daoist in the Heaven Immortal realm to listen to you preach the Dao today is to give you a chance to make up for your mistakes. Senior Brother Duobao and I have heard what you said to the other three disciples of Jie School. You seem to be here to return the favor and preach the Dao for them, right?” The Goddess of Stone did not answer and remained kneeling
Daoist Duobao frowned slightly. Just as he was about to speak, Li Changshou stopped him. Li Changshou chuckled and said, “Senior Sister, can you let me guess what you’re thinking about? You are afraid that Senior Brother Duobao’s lightning will blow up and kill the fellow disciples that you are familiar with, right?”
Shi Ji knelt and sighed softly. She said softly, “Junior Brother Changgeng, I’m willing to bear all kinds of crimes.”
“It seems that Senior Sister thinks that this matter is only to ruin Jie School’s reputation and damage Jie School’s reputation.” Li Changshou paused and took out a wooden board. He floated in front of the rock and said, “Senior Sister, please take a look at this.” The rock was confused and looked up.
Li Changshou grabbed a handful of sand from the side and piled it on the wooden board.
“This board is the destiny of the sect. The sand is the disciples of the sect.”
“All the major sects have Saints presiding over them. Their understanding of destiny is similar. On the other hand, Ren School and Chan School are wrapped in a layer of metal outside the wooden plank. That is the importance of the sect’s treasure of destiny.” Li Changshou paused and asked, “Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Shi Ji nodded.
“The current state of the wooden plank is Ren School. There is little sand and the wooden plank is sturdy.” As Li Changshou spoke, he grabbed another pile of sand and placed it on the wooden plank. “This is the state of Chan School. Although there is a lot of sand, the wooden planks are still quite sturdy. What about Jie School?”
Shi Ji immediately thought of something and her face turned pale. Li Changshou casually grabbed the sand pile in the distance and condensed it into a circular pillar that was dozens of feet tall. He pressed it against the wooden board, and it immediately sank. Li Changshou said seriously, “This is the best situation for Jie School. The wooden planks are lowered, but they are not broken. But in reality? Due to the fact that there are too many disciples, this wooden plank is wider and longer than the wooden planks of Chan School and Jie School. However, the negative karma that follows will also make the wooden plank decay faster.” As he spoke, he snapped his fingers. Black lines appeared on the wooden plank, and it began to transform under the pressure of the sand pillar above. Li Changshou slowly paced around the rock. The rock knelt there and watched the wooden board rapidly decay… He raised his hand and slashed. Wisps of sand gathered from all directions and entered the sand pillar. “Now, do you understand the consequences of those people who invited you to preach the Dao using the preaching of the Dao? On one hand, more sand was pressing on the wooden plank. On the other hand, the wooden planks have been corroded by more negative karma. The final outcome is the arrival of the Great Tribulation…”
Clang! Li Changshou held a long sword in his left hand. With a flash of sword light, he slashed under the wooden plank. The wooden board suddenly broke, and the sand pillar fell down. It shattered in front of the rock and scattered into sand. The slender eyebrows of the rock twitched slightly, and his face gradually turned pale. Daoist Duobao sighed and said, “Shi Ji, oh Shi Ji. When you were in the ancient times, you were banished by the Heavenly Dao because of the negative karma of killing. When you were at your wits’ end, you encountered Master’s Dao preaching. Master thought that you had a kind heart and did not know pity when you were born. Your emotions could still be understood. He gave you a seat in the place where he preached the Dao. So that’s how you repay Master! That’s how you repay Jie School!” “Eldest Senior Brother! I don’t know…”
“I wonder what happened?”.
Li Changshou asked in return. He slowly squatted down in front of the rock and said warmly, “Do you know why the red lotus that Senior Brother Duobao and the others risked their lives to obtain shattered? There was too much negative karma in Jie School. There were too many living beings who had to be suppressed by the destiny. The red lotus was not powerful enough and suffered a backlash from the calamity. Senior Sister Shi Ji, the great calamity is about to arrive. Now that the calamity has blinded the heavenly secrets, the discussion of the great calamity in the Purple Cloud Palace is getting closer and closer. What Jie School and the Dao Sect need now is not your life, Senior Sister, or the other lives. Instead, they want to completely put an end to the matter of accumulating wealth by preaching the Dao and rejecting the in-name disciples that they had previously accepted. On your left hand, you hold the destiny of Jie School in the future. In your right hand, you hold the word ‘loyalty’. If the destiny of the sect collapsed, even the Saint would not be able to protect the entire sect. That would be fighting with the Heavenly Dao and would be considered an enemy of the Heavenly Dao. Do you really want to destroy the entire Jie School for those who harbor ill intentions and watch as hundreds of immortals from Jie School die?”
“Don’t say anymore…”
Shi Ji’s body softened and she sat on the ground weakly. Her eyes were filled with confusion. After a while, he gradually regained his senses. He smiled bitterly at Li Changshou and asked softly, “What can I do?”
Li Changshou took out a treasure pouch from his sleeve and shook out ink and paper.
“Tell me everything you know. I believe the people who invited you to preach the Dao are not just the few of you today.” Shi Ji pursed her lips tightly. When he picked up the pen, his slender hands were trembling.
Hence, three days later…
If he did not investigate this matter, he would not know. However, once he did, he was really shocked.
She tore open the gap from the rock and revealed the few batches of immortals from Jie School that she had seen when she preached the Dao sixteen times.
Li Changshou and Daoist Duobao pondered carefully. They used Shi Ji to conceal their whereabouts and secretly captured the dozen or so immortals from Jie School. Then, they used the method of separately interrogating them and obtained more than ten names under the guise of “making up for their mistakes”.
Then, he sorted out the Dao accounts on the name list and crossed them. He listed them as his main target.
Daoist Duobao summoned the Goddess of Golden Spirit, the Goddess of Turtle Spirit, and Zhao Gongming. The four eldest disciples split up. In two days, they captured more than sixty Jie School immortals and obtained more than sixty names. Li Changshou was in charge of organizing the names. In just half a day, he listed a dense web. Making a chart was Li Changshou’s old profession. At that moment, a troublesome problem was placed in front of him and the few disciples of Jie School.
There were too many immortals from Jie School involved in that matter.
In order to ensure their own safety, the “in-name disciples” of Jie School often used some treasures and Spirit Pills to “bribe” them.
There were countless experts from Jie School involved. There were even a few immortals from Jie School who had appeared in Green Touring Palace on the day the red lotus was destroyed!
From top to bottom, it was related to benefits.
If he uprooted them, he would definitely suffer a huge blow. They were still in the small world that was questioning the rock. Li Changshou’s paper effigy stood by the lake with his hands behind his back. The Goddess of Stone stood at the side.
Duobao, Zhao Gongming, the Goddess of Golden Spirit, and the Goddess of Turtle Spirit looked at the scroll in front of them and the names on it. Their expressions were brilliant.
Not far behind them, there were more than seventy figures. They were tied up like dumplings in the forest and were sleeping with their heads lowered. Li Changshou looked at the rock. The latter’s eyes were dull, as if he had lost all his energy. Not long after, he heard the Goddess of Golden Spirit’s angry voice from behind. “These vermin! We can’t let them live!”
“Jin Ling, don’t be rash.” Zhao Gongming hurriedly persuaded. “Are you going to kill all your fellow disciples?”
The Goddess of Golden Spirit scolded, “They are also worthy of being called fellow disciples!” “Senior Sister.” The Goddess of Turtle Spirit said gently, “Why don’t we only kill those who do worse things? There are so many immortals on this…” Zhao Gongming said, “We also have the responsibility of failing to monitor them.” Daoist Duobao placed his hands behind his back and sighed. He took two steps back and sat on the green rock without saying a word. The Goddess of Golden Spirit frowned slightly and sighed. “What should I do? We have to make a decision as soon as possible. There has to be a rule whether we kill or punish them. Although we secretly attacked and captured these fellow disciples, the news will definitely be leaked… Eldest Senior Brother, if we don’t react in time, there might be unnecessary trouble.”
Duobao wiped his face and sat there in deep thought.
At that moment, thousands of pressure gathered on Daoist Duobao, causing the Daoist priest, who was considered handsome in the slightly plump world, to almost turn white from worry.
Dong
Suddenly, they heard a soft sound. The few senior disciples looked over at the same time and saw Shi Ji kneeling beside Li Changshou. “Junior Brother Changgeng, you are smart and resourceful. You must have a good plan to resolve today’s situation. I know my sins well. I’m willing to die to apologize. Junior Brother Changgeng, please help!” Li Changshou frowned slightly and turned around. He did not accept the bow. “Get up.”
Daoist Duobao said softly. However, Goddess Shi Ji lowered her head even more.
Duobao was suddenly enraged. He stood up and glared at the opportunity. With a wave of his hand, he slapped the rock face, sending it hundreds of feet away and smashing it into the lake.
“He did not think of resolving the evil that he had created. How dare he ask Changgeng for help! You’ve embarrassed Master!” Zhao Gongming hurriedly stepped forward to stop Daoist Duobao. “Senior Brother, don’t be angry. Although Shi Ji is wrong, I have indeed been making up for my mistakes in the past few days…” The Goddess of Turtle Spirit hurriedly flew into the lake and helped the drenched Shi Ji back. Shi Ji’s mouth was bleeding, and she lowered her head in silence.
Li Changshou sighed…
Forget it. This is my first date with Yun Xiao. I can confidently ask for a hug. He asked slowly, “Do we really have to continue investigating this matter?” “Changgeng, you don’t have to care.” Duobao gritted his teeth and said, “This tree has already grown crooked. If you don’t ruthlessly cut off the branches, it will rot sooner or later!” Li Changshou said, “However, Senior Brother, once we kill, a large number of immortals from Jie School will definitely die. It’s also a matter of losing one’s luck.”
Daoist Duobao widened his eyes and asked, “Are we just going to let it go?” “There are actually more reliable methods,” Li Changshou said. “Senior Brother, why don’t you use this matter to convene a Ten Thousand Immortal Meeting of Jie School and gather the immortals? We will first kill one to warn the others and kill the chief evildoer. We can also kill a few personal disciples of the Saints who had committed crimes and deter their fellow disciples. Of course, we have to ask for Uncle-Master’s approval. Then, we will explain the danger that Jie School was in today. We should unite everyone in Jie School and achieve the effect of shocking everyone. Those are just the methods to treat the superficial issues. In the future of the great calamity, I hope that Senior Brother will take good care of the ones in this name list. Now, both of us don’t know what will happen in the Purple Cloud Palace and how the Heavenly Courts will prosper. In other words, if the Dao Sect needs the orders of an immortal to fill the ashes of the Tribulation, we should protect our fellow disciples who are good.”
The last few words were reserved, but the people present felt that it made sense.
The Great Tribulation this time was different from the Great Magi-Demon War and the Dragon-Phoenix Tribulation. Instead, the Saints were “discussing” how many disciples of Jie School and Chan School would die in the Great Tribulation if a standard was set… The names on the register were naturally priority. If the ashes of the tribulation were not enough, it would depend on the destiny.
“That’s a solution,” said the Goddess of Golden Spirit. “Although it’s a little unfair, we can’t care so much before the Great Tribulation. If we kill them now, we will be letting them off easy!”
Zhao Gongming said softly, “Isn’t it a little too heartless to do that…”
Li Changshou said seriously, “This matter cannot be spread. The human heart is unpredictable, let alone immortals who have long lifespans.”
Li Changshou paused and took out a scroll from his sleeve.
“Let’s be more stable. We will each swear a Great Dao oath not to leak the news. Senior Brother Duobao, please seal Senior Sister Shi Ji’s memories for half a day.”
The Goddess of Stone’s eyes were filled with helplessness. She whispered, “Junior Brother Changgeng, I will die this time.” “Senior Sister, you don’t have to do that,” Li Changshou said seriously. “There are too many immortals in Jie School. The matter of reward and punishment has to be clear. Otherwise, it’s very easy to cause chaos. Start taking the oath.” The few of them walked forward, including Daoist Duobao. They made a confidential oath. Li Changshou was still worried and reminded, “These people hanging in the forest should be the first evil to be killed. When they show their mistakes, just use the Shadow-Retaining Ball. There’s no need to let them speak. To prevent further complications.”
“Alright.” Daoist Duobao agreed and raised his head to sigh.
A month later, at the Ten Thousand Immortals Meeting on Golden Ao Island, more than ten scenes related to the “in-name disciple” lecture were displayed. The entire venue could be heard with a pin drop. More than a hundred figures whose essence souls had been restricted knelt on the ground with lifeless eyes.
Daoist Duobao was dressed in a white robe. He put away the jade token in his hand and memorized the “scolding script” inside. He said, “Master, please give me your decree.” At the side, Zhao Gongming took out a Saint’s declaration that was glowing with seven-colored light. He slowly opened it, and a green glow surged out from it. A murderous aura filled the entire place. The declaration was blank and wordless. The sword intent had already reached the sky. Daoist Duobao stood up and slowly took a deep breath. In front of countless immortals of Jie School, he pointed at the hundreds of kneeling men and women and said firmly,
“Master, there are more than 60 personal disciples in total. Today, I have no choice but to kill six! Although there are many disciples who have listened to Master’s preaching, I have to kill these people today! Which one of them is not an immortal from Jie School who is seeking the Dao and searching for the real living beings? Which one of them is not an immortal who is shouting to intercept a chance of survival for the living beings of the world!?! They are rotten. My heart is about to break! Master established Jie School and let me lead the sect. Now, Jie School is known as a place where tens of thousands of immortals come to court, but I have ended up in this state… I have let down Master, Grandmaster, and the Dao Sect!”
Duobao’s voice exploded like thunder. The immortals of Jie School remained silent. Many fairies looked nervous and lowered their heads, not daring to look at him.
Duobao calmed down and said slowly, “And you guys. You are standing everywhere and looking at them. Do you feel lucky? Do you feel guilty? Are some of your fellow disciples really that clean? Some of your fellow disciples are even more disgraceful than them. They deserve to be killed as an example!
I’ll give you a word of advice today. Take out your Dao hearts, sun them, wash them, and dry them! In the face of the great calamity, you did not think about uniting your fellow disciples and resisting the great calamity. Instead, you rely on the luck of the calamity to conceal yourself. You are unrestrained and incomparably arrogant. Originally, you would converge the Spirit Stones once every thirty or fifty years to preach the Dao, but it had become three years, two years, or even several times a year! The twelfth-grade red lotus shattered in front of his teacher in Green Touring Palace! Do you know how many times Teacher has gone to the Chaos Sea to search for treasures that can suppress the destiny of the sect? Do you know that Teacher was smiling when the red lotus shattered!?! Teacher cannot watch from the side like the two Uncle-Masters. Teacher is already prepared to wait for the Great Tribulation to descend. If he can’t avoid it, he will go with us! What about you guys! What are you thinking!?!” Duobao raised his head and sighed. The surroundings were still extremely quiet. Duobao continued, “When I deduced that there was a great calamity in the Dao Sect, I thought that the calamity was from the evil demons outside the world. I went to the Chaos Sea and took a look. I realized that the evil demons were useless. I also felt that the Great Tribulation should have come from the prosperity of the Western Sect. Later on, I realized that the Great Tribulation originated from the prosperity of the Heavenly Courts and the descent of the Dao Sect.
There are a total of two senior brothers and junior brothers in Ren School. Senior Brother Xuan Du suppressed the Xuandu City and stopped the outsiders from invading the Primordial World.
Junior Brother Changgeng had been working day and night for the Dao Sect. He had allowed the calamity that was originally targeted at the Dao Sect to fall on the head of the Western Sect. How many disciples could he protect? What about us?
Have I, the immortals of Jie School, done anything to ease the Great Tribulation of the Dao Sect? The enemies of Jie School were not outside, but inside.
I meditated and dug out these words in my Dao heart. I’ll give them to you.” After saying that, Daoist Duobao waved his hand. A small mountain landed on the platform. It was flat and had four words written on it.
Jie School’s pills… Ahem, no.
“Clear Conscience.”
“All of you, stay here and watch for three days and three nights.”
